NCAA Power 16 Rankings

By Frank_Burlison

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 2:24pm

Consider this, before Syracuse and Duke fans commence with their e-mail screeching when they read that Michigan is atop my updated Top 16:

Tim Hardaway Jr.My rule of thumb over a whole lot of seasons of putting together national ratings is “a team that didn’t lose in the previous week can’t be ‘leap-frogged’ in the ratings – no matter how well teams below it might have played”.

So the 11-0 Wolverines, No. 2 in previous weeks, have moved atop my updating ratings following Indiana’s OT loss to Butler Saturday in Indianapolis.

Am I convinced that the Wolverines would beat either the Orange or Blue Devils if they were to hook up this weekend at a neutral site?

Not at all – in fact I tend to believe that Syracuse and Duke are playing better than anyone else right now.

But not to worry, aforementioned Syracuse and Duke loyalists – this is a season in which a lot of teams are going to take a turn at No. 1. Your clubs certainly could be among them.

As for the “biggest of the big games this week”, it’s going to be Kansas at Ohio State on Saturday.

It’s one of those contests that will likely impact the makeup of the four teams awarded top seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

Rank (Last Week)

Record

Comment

1. Michigan (2)

11-0

The Wolverines’ takeover of the top spot shouldn’t be seriously threatened until the team pays a Big 12 visit to Columbus on Jan. 13.

2. Syracuse (3)

9-0

I wonder how many elderly folks Michael Carter-Williams has “assisted” across streets during his lifetime.

3. Duke (4)

9-0

After nearly two weeks off to focus on academics, the Blue Devils are back at it in Cameron Indoor Stadium against Ivy League visitor Cornell Wednesday.

4. Indiana (1)

9-1

My opinion of the Hoosiers wasn’t impacted with the loss to Butler – they’re still one of the 10 or more teams capable of winning the national title this season.

5. Louisville (5)

9-1

Backcourt mates Peyton Siva and Russ Smith combined for 39 points, 11 assists and only four turnovers in the impressive comeback in Memphis on Saturday.

6. Ohio State (7)

7-0

Thad Matta’s bench has been getting a lot of work in of late.

7. Arizona (8)

8-0

It only seems as if the Wildcats’ win over Florida was the Pac-12’s “biggest” win in my lifetime.

8. Florida (6)

7-1

It would have been a joyous flight home from Tucson if regulation time for games was just 39 minutes.

9. Illinois (9)

11-0

The Illini game with Missouri on Saturday is a tasty pre-Christmas treat.

TEAMS: Butler (handed Indiana its first loss, 88-86, in OT Saturday in Indianapolis); Arizona (rallied from six points down in the final minute for a 65-64 against unbeaten Florida in Tucson Saturday night); Louisville (the Cardinals fell behind, 25-9, before re-grouping and toppling host Memphis, 87-78, Saturday); Michigan (improved to 11-0 with a couple of victories, the second of those, 81-66 over West Virginia, coming in Brooklyn Saturday night); Kansas (cruised to seventh consecutive victory, 89-60 over 7-2 Belmont, Saturday in Lawrence).

PLAYERS: Roosevelt Jones (Butler). The 6-4 sophomore had 16 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots before fouling out in his team’s stunner over top-ranked Indiana Saturday. Trey Burke (Michigan). The sophomore point guard averaged 23 points (hitting 20 of 28 from the field) with nine rebounds, 13 assists, four steals and only one turnover in a pair of wins over Binghamton and West Virginia. Doug McDermott (Creighton). He hit 10 of 17 from the field (including four of seven from behind the arc) and all 10 of his free-throw attempts for 34 points – along with nine rebounds and only two turnovers in 34 minutes – during his team’s win over Cal in Berkeley Saturday night. Nick Johnson (Arizona). The sophomore guard scored 15 points with three rebounds, three assists and four steals as the Wildcats’ frantically rallied in the closing seconds for the win over Florida Saturday night. Kendall Williams (New Mexico). The junior point guard, by way of Southern California, had 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and no turnovers during the Lobos’ 73-58 in-state victory over visiting New Mexico State Saturday night.

Frank Burlison has been covering hoops for 30+ years for a variety of publications.

What a joke. Has this dude watched Duke this year? I absolutely hate those Blue Devil &$#%#&@! but they have played and beat better competition than any other team in the country. Pre season, early season, mid season, or late season rankings really mean nothing but if you're going to do it, do it right.

Duke has undoubtedly played the toughest schedules of the unbeaten teams however I have no problem with anybody ranking Michigan or Syracuse ahead of them. I would rank Michigan #1 because I really like what I have seen from them. They space the floor and have scorers everywhere. I haven't seen enough of the Cuse to rank them ahead of Duke but you know they are always deep and athletic. Duke deserves to be number one but I can't say they are for sure the best team. A lot of Dukes early success is due to the cohesion of guys like Curry, Kelly and Plumlee. They will be the class of the ACC but they are neck and neck with most top teams.

I love how you flame his ranking even though, he stated quite clearly, "Am I convinced that the Wolverines would beat either the Orange or Blue Devils if they were to hook up this weekend at a neutral site?

Not at all – in fact I tend to believe that Syracuse and Duke are playing better than anyone else right now."

He also asked you Duke fans and us Cuse fans to "Consider this, before Syracuse and Duke fans commence with their e-mail screeching when they read that Michigan is atop my updated Top 16."

Seriously, even though he predicted your reaction and explained it, people still get indignant over subjective rankings. GJ guys.